Question

apply

1. a baby giraffe is about $6\frac{1}{2}$ feet tall at birth and grows about $\frac{1}{2}$ foot per month for its first year. the function $h = \frac{1}{2}m + 6\frac{1}{2}$ represents the total height $h$, of a baby giraffe for any number of months $m$ within its first year. how much taller is the giraffe at the end of month 11 than at the end of month 2?

Explanation:

Step1: Find height at month 11

Substitute \( m = 11 \) into \( h=\frac{1}{2}m + 6\frac{1}{2} \).
\( h_{11}=\frac{1}{2}(11)+6\frac{1}{2}=\frac{11}{2}+\frac{13}{2}=\frac{24}{2} = 12 \)

Step2: Find height at month 2

Substitute \( m = 2 \) into \( h=\frac{1}{2}m + 6\frac{1}{2} \).
\( h_{2}=\frac{1}{2}(2)+6\frac{1}{2}=1 + 6\frac{1}{2}=7\frac{1}{2} \)

Step3: Find the difference

Subtract \( h_{2} \) from \( h_{11} \).
\( 12 - 7\frac{1}{2}=4\frac{1}{2} \)

Answer:

\( 4\frac{1}{2} \) feet